Retirement is next up for million-dollar winner from New Palestine

INDIANAPOLIS – New Palestine’s Ronald Lucas has a lot to think about in the days ahead, but one thing that won’t cross his mind is heading off to work.

After winning $1 million on a Hoosier Lottery scratch-off ticket, the 54-year old union carpenter is calling it quits.

“I’ve got a pension coming when I’m 60. This money will be more than enough to get me to that point,” said Lucas. “I’m done. This is retirement for me.”

Lucas’ good fortune struck Sunday when he went to Village Pantry at 2001 Broad Ripple Avenue in Indianapolis to pick up a couple scratch-offs for fun, and ended up with way more than he expected.

“I actually bought two $10 tickets right before that and won $20,” said Lucas. “So, I took that $20 right back into the store and used those winnings to buy this ticket. I took it back out to my Jeep, scratched it and went right back in. I said to the clerk, ‘Hey buddy, are you seeing what I’m seeing? Because if you are, I just won a million bucks.’”

“I always buy that ticket,” said Lucas. “I like it; I’ve had a lot of luck with that ticket.”

The father of two and grandfather of two is still coming to grips with the reality of his big win, but was immediately grateful and filled with emotion.

“The first thing that went through my mind was my wife, Guila,” said Lucas. “I lost her to pneumonia about a year ago after 30 years together. I thanked her. I know she was looking out for me.”

The mission of the Hoosier Lottery is to maximize net income for the state in a socially-responsible manner. In fiscal year 2012, the Hoosier Lottery generated $211 million in surplus revenue which was used to significantly reduce the motor vehicle excise tax for all Hoosier drivers and also supported the pension funds for retired Indiana teachers, police and firefighters. Player prizes for the fiscal year totaled $533 million and $60 million was earned by Indiana retailers on the sale of Hoosier Lottery products.

Since its inception in 1989, the Hoosier Lottery has produced more than $4.2 billion for the citizens of Indiana, $1 billion in commissions and bonuses for participating Indiana retailers, and has paid out more than $8.9 billion in player prizes.

The Hoosier Lottery reminds all players to play responsibly. You must be 18 or older to play.

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